Petitionary Prayers for the Earth by the LCWR Regions

Regional Petitionary PrayersThe following prayers of petition were written and offered by the 15LCWR regions during the national assembly on “Tending the Holy.”

Region 1:

That like the cranberry plant, which takes its name from the crane – a bird of peace, we draw nourishment from the balance and harmony of earth, that we bear fruit that brings the gifts of unity, healing and peace to our world, we pray …

Region 2:

That we commit ourselves to do all that we can to insure that the poor and most vulnerable have access to this precious gift of clean water both now and for future generations, we pray …

Region 3:

That just as our rivers have their own life and also flow into the greater sea, we may be vibrant as theHudson, the Delaware and the Susquehanna as we outflow to God’s people. That we may be refreshed by winter snows and summer showers and pool into a great Atlantic of peace, we pray …

Region 4:

That our efforts for a sound ecology blossom for the people and all of created life that is found in Region 4, a place rich in beauty with its mountains, Great Lake, ocean coasts, forests, Appalachian trial, large municipalities, small cities, farms, villages and the capital of the United States, we pray…

Region 5:

That the waters of the oceans, rivers, streams and bayous be free of contaminants so that all life in them may flourish and give glory to God, we pray …

Region6:

That we may always respect the gift of water and leave our rivers clean for the next generations, we pray …

Region7:

That as water washing over stones smoothes, changes and polishes, may our commitment to living as a member of the whole earth community call others to do the same, we pray …

Region8:

That women and children will thrive in a healthy, safe and peaceful environment where the gospel call for nonviolent living is heard and celebrated throughout the land, we pray…

Region 9:

That our Native American brothers and sisters teach us a love for the land and who still suffer discrimination will receive the respect and full rights that belong to all of God’s people, we pray…

Region 10:

That the waters of the Missouri and MississippiRivers blend and carry forward the energies of the heartland of America for nourishment and care of the world, we pray…

Region 11:

That there may be a movement to decrease the pollutants in the air, that the country may enjoy bountiful crops and that no one lives in fear, goes to bed hungry or suffers health problems due to polluted air, we pray…

Region 12:

That barriers that divide nations may be transformed into bridges between peoples, and that the waters of the Rio Grande and all rivers may be restored to a life-sustaining state so that all may live fully, we pray…

Region 13:

That we may find ways of sharing our basic resources – spiritual, material, intellectual, political and ecclesial – with those in need and that we may see the opportunities that are ours to transform the world in simple and humble ways, we pray …

Region 14:

That the waves of the Pacific may draw us deeper into harmony with the earth and one another and disrupt us enough to commit ourselves to promote sustainable development for the earth and all living creatures, we pray…

Region 15:

That by tending to our contemplative practices, we may be empowered to leap towards YES and be like salmon who, against all obstacles, follow an internal force that compels them to swim upstream to birth something new, we pray…